Security apparatus for armored cars



1965 F. JOHNSTON, JR

SECURITY APPARATUS FOR ARMORED CARS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 15, 1963 IN VENTOR.

F. JOHNSTON, JR

SECURITY APPARATUS FOR ARMORED CARS Feb. 16, 1965 Filed' April 15, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,169,599 SECURITY APPARATUSFOR ARMORED CARS Frederick Johnston, Jr., 406 N. Fail-view,

Mount Prospect, Ill. Filed Apr. 15, 1963, SenNo. 273,136 Claims. (Cl. 180-82) This invention relates to a new and improved security apparatus for armored cars.

Armored cars are employed to'carrymoney and important documents from one location to another. with a minimum chance of losing those articles. The term armored means that the car is provided with external plate to resist unwarranted entry into the interior of the car and further the car is usually equipped with arms to resist any felonious attack. The caris us'uallypro-vided with at leasttwo compartments with a substantial bulkhead between the drivers compartment and the vault or valuable carrying compartment. As a rule the armored car has a crew of two or three persons, one of which is the driver and the other two comprising a guard and a messenger. The armored car is thus equipped to transmit large amounts of money :and negotiable instnuments from and to banks, stores, businesses and to carry on this movement of valuables with a minimum of danger of having those valuables lost or stolen. However, in spite of numerous precautions, armored cars carryingv large amounts of money have been subject to attacks and burglaries, and because of inherent weaknesses in the security apparatus available in armored cars, some of these at; tacks have been successful and large sums of -moriey have been loston a number of occasions. v

It 'is a principal object of this invention to provide an armored car with a'security apparatus built'the'rein to substantially eliniinate successful attempts at thefts of the contents of the armored cars.

An important object of thisinvention is the provision of a security system for armored cars in which the occu pants or crew of the car may completely control the door operation and energize alarm-mechanisms which should minimize, it not entirely do away with, successful holdups of armored cars. l 7

Another important object of this invention is to supply a security apparatus for armored ears of the two compartment type in which there. is included a three-unit electrical system having one unit located on the outside of the armored car, a" second unit located in the first compartment of the armored car, and a third unit located within the second compartment of the armored car.

p A still further important object of this invention is to equip an armored car with asecurity apparatus enabling the occupants of the valuable carrying compartment thereof to lock all. doors of the vehicle from within, to impair the ignition system of the armored car and to energize an alarm siren orother loud noisemaking device.

' A still further important object of this invention is to provide a security. apparatus for armored cars having three spaced apart, electrical boxes for controlling entry into the armoredscar and exciting alarms. 7

.Another and still further important objectof vention is to provide an electrical system for securing the contents of an armored car in the transmittal of valuables in which a first unit thereof located externally of the interior of the car may be, actuatedbya key only this in-'- A still further important object of this invention is 3 I to provide a control panel within the drivers compartment to lock or unlock each ofithe doors of the vehicle and to provide for manual actuation of a switch controlling a siren alarm.

A still further important object of this invention is topro'vide a control in the valuables compartment in which'the guard or messenger operating that electrical unit can similarly control the-operation of all o-f-the'-ve-' hicle doors and in addition can with one switch cause all of the doors inthe vehicle to remain loclred,the ig ni- V tion for the armored car to be. cut out, and to energize 15 a siren alarm. a v

Another important object of this invention is to supply a control mechanism in the vault compartment of an armoredcar which 'superimposes controls for the operation of any of the vehicle doors r'egardless'oi the exist ence of controls for the doors located elsewhere on-orin the vehicle. A still further important object of this invent-ion, is

the provision of an armored car with solenoid-operated,

locks actuatable electrically and havingno external handor key operated latch means at the position of the doors;

Another and still further important object of this in- V y vention is to supply a weatherproof electrical control box located on theexterior of an armored oar and' 'requiring the vopening of-a"-cov er which automatically ex- 5 cites an alarm mechanism for as long as the cover re-- mains disengaged from-the weatherproof box, 1

I A still further important object of ithis invention is to equip an armored car with a weatherproof electrical cont'rol'box on the top center of thehood of-th'e engine of" i the armored car by which initial entrance 'to the interior of the armored car is effected. v. Other and further important objects and advantages will become apparent from the disclosures in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

ln the drawings: I H FIGURE 1 is a side'elevational view partially insection of an armored car having the security apparatus of the subject invention incorporated therein. I

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the firs or externally located electricalcontrol box-of this invention.

tion.

down atthe top of the armored carwith the roof removed and diagrammatically showing the electrical circuits as incorporated within and around the armored car.

As shown in the drawings:

The referencenumeralilO indicates generally? an arms o'red car having the .seourity-"apparatus of this invention mounted thereon; The armored oar-includesacliassis 11 with ground engaging wheels 12. Ah engine hood 13 conceals an engine (not shown) at the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle further 'includes headlights-14, I a front bumper-15 and a rear bumper 16. The body of' Patented Feb. 16,

FIGURE 3'is a perspective view of the secondfor 7 FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic sauna view looking the car is designated by the numeral 17 and is preferably made of heavy plate armor material to prevent unwarranted entrance to the interior and to aid in the resistance of attack by firearms or the like.

The armored car vehicle has a front or drivers compartment 18 and a rear or valuables containing compartment 19. A bulkhead 20 is disposed between the front and rear compartments and this bulkhead is also made of armor plate to prevent access to the rear compartment from the front compartment.

The front compartment is provided with a windshield 21 through which a driver is able to see to drive the armored car. The compartment also includes a drivers door22 and a door;23 disposed opposite the drivers door. Both doors 22 and 23 on opposite sides of the armored car lead to the front compartment 18.

The rear compartment is provided with a side door 24 and a rear doo'r'25.t All of the doors 22, 23, 24 and 25 are spring urged to normally swing to a slightly open position. There are no external handles on the doors and no means on the outside of the doors to effect opening of those doors. scribed, there is a control box outside of the car which enahlesthe initial opening of either the drivers door 22, or the other front compartment door 23.

The drivers compartment is equipped with a steering wheel 26, a foot pedal 27 for the clutch and brake, a gear shift lever 28, and an ignition switch and lock 29 all of which enable operation of the armored car by a driver.

Awindow 30 is located in the drivers door 22 and it is preferably bullet-proof to further enhance the armored characteristics of the vehicle. Similar bullet-proof windows are provided for the other doors of the armored car. These are the windows 31 for the front door 23, the window 32 for the side door 24 of the rear compartment and a window 33 for the rear door 25 of the compartment 19. Another bullet-proof window 20a is provided in the bulkhead 20 to permit ready viewing between the front and rear compartments of the vehicle.

Hinges 34, 35, 36 and 37 are respectively provided for each of the doors 22, 23, 24 and 25 and preferably include therein the spring mechanism for automatically tending to open the doors a slight amount. When the doors are thus initially opened as will subsequently be described a member of the crew can then pull the door open fully about its hinge and get into the car.

A seat 38-is provided in and extends across the front compartment:18 for a driver of the crew and any other member of the crew assigned to the front compartmnet. The rear compartment has a seat 39 for a crew guard and a seat 40 for a crew messenger. The location of the seats in the rear compartment 19 and the fact of whether or not there is one or two occupants of that rear compartment will have no bearing on the operation of the security apparatus of this armored car.

' The door 22 is provided with a lock or bolt' member 4 V which is adapted to lock the door from the inside. An

electrical solenoid 42 is mounted on the door 22 and when energized is arranged and constructed to slidably withdraw the bolt 41 into the solenoid 42 to an unlocked position; The door lock is arranged sothat upon the solenoid 42 being electricallyenergized the bolt 41 is pulled into the solenoid 42 thus permitting the door 22 to be opened about its spring hinge 34. It should be unerstood that the door locks may be manually operated from the inside toenable the crew to optionally open the doors either electrically or manually. There is no latch or lock operating mechanism located on the external sides of the doors 22, 23,24 and 25, however when'- the lock or bolt 41 is removed fromits car body engaging posi: tion the door may thus be pulled open from the exterior. It is preferable, as previously explained, that the spring loading of the doors be such that when the solenoids are activated and the locks are pulled out of the way the spring tends to open the door a slight distance allowing the per;

However, as will subsequently be deson entering the vehicle to grab the edge of the door and thus open it. This obviates the necessity of using external door handles, but this of course should be considered an optional construction and if it is desired to have external handles even though they are not capable of operating the locks within the doors, they could be used as pull means to open the doors if the springs in association with the hinges were arranged to normally urge the doors toward a closed position. A lock or bolt 43 is provided on the door 23 and this is operated by a solenoid 44. Similarly a lock or bolt 45 isprovided on the door 24 and is operated by a solenoid 46. The rear door 25 has a lock or bolt 47 which is operated by a solenoid 48. It will thus be seen that each of the 4 doors of the armored car is electrically operated and thus the controls for the locks may be disposed inv a central location or may be split or divided and placed in several. locations, such as in the present inventionas will subsequently be described.

A storage battary 49 is provided in the car and is positioned beneath the hood 13. The battery is employed to operate all of the cars electrical. appliances, such as a starter motor, the headlights 14 and the electrically operated security apparatus of this invention. The security apparatus includes a first control box 50 preferably located centrally of and on topof the engine hood 13 at a position close to the outside of the windshield 21. The security apparatus also includes a second control box 51 located in the front compartment 18 of the armored car as shown in FIGURE 1. The control box 51 is mounted on the underside of the roof 52 of the body 17. A third control box 53 is located in the rear compartment 19 and is also mounted on the underside of the roof 52.

An audible alarm 54 such as an electric bell is located on the wall or ceiling of therear compartment 19. This electric bell is utilized toadvise personnel that someone is entering the armored car.- This hell or audible alarm 54 is not primarily used to ward off an attack on the armored car, but rather merely is used to advise those people in the vicinity of the car storage area that someone is entering the car and the armored car is being readied for its service of transferring valuables from one location to another. Of course, the ringing of the bell54 also advises anyone in the rear compartment that someone is about to enter the front compartment. i

Under the engine hood 13 there is provided a loud audible electrical alarm such as a siren 55. Also under the hood is an engine coil 56 and an electrical distributor 57 for distributing electrical power to the vehicle engine, which has not been shown.

As best shown in FIGURE 2 a housing 58 is provided for the electrical control box 50. The inner end of the box 50 is identified by the numeral 59. A partition 60 is spaced forwardly from the inner end 59 and defines a rear chamber 61 within the box 50. A front cover 62 is spaced forwardly of and parallel to the partition 60 and defines a second or forward chamber 63 within the box 50. The space 63 is disposed forwardly of the space 61. A peripheral flange 64 is provided on the cover 62 for the purpose of snugly engaging the outside of the housing 58 of the box 50. A handle 65 is aflixed to the front cover 62 and is used to elfect manual removal or replacement of the cover on the housing 58 of the box 50.

The interior of the box 50 carries electrical components which cooperate with the other components, of this invention to control the operation of the vehicle doors, the alarm mechanisms and the engine ignition. A microswitch 66 is fastened to the inner end 59 of the box 50. Similarly a multiple-terminal connector or socket block 67 is also fastened-to the inner end 59 at a spaced apart position thereon. A post 68 is fastened at a right angle to'the front cover 62 and projects rearwardly for slidable movement through an opening in the partition 60 and terminates closely adjacent the micro-switch 66. A collar or washer 69 is mounted on the post 68 midway .of its,ends. A cross pin 70 is adapted to pass through the post 68 and hold the collar 69 in fixed position on the post at least with regard to the movement of thou-collar toward the inner end of the post. A coil spring 71 surrounds the post 68 and is disposed between the partition 60 and the collar 69 thereby urging the post 68 toward its innermost position. An elongated shaft key 72 is 'provided in the lower side of the post 68 for engagement with necessary to remove the cover 62 of the control box 50 p in order to initially gain access tothe interior of the armored car of this invention. This is accomplished by pulling the. frontrcover 62 in the direction of' the' arrow 75 thereby causing the cover 62 to be disengaged from the body 58 of the box 99. This. of course, pull the post68 outwardly from the micro-switch 66 againstv the action of theicoilspring7l which by reason'ofjits engagement with the collar 69 isconstantlyaurging the post 63 into engagement. with the micro switchi66l Akey .76 V is used to ioperate' the key'switch 74 which becomes e'xposed upon the r'emoval'of the front cover 62. e .As best shown in FIGURE 5 the micro-switch 66 in? cludes spaced ap art contact's 77 and 78. 'A cross bar 79.

is provided for sliding movement in'the micro-switch 66.. 1 A post 89 is affixed tov the cross bar 79 and projects'outs wardly toward the cover post 68 of the =cont'rolb6x50z vA coil spring 8'1'is disposed behind the .cross bar 79 and e normally urges the cross bar, toward engagement with the spaced contact points 77 and 78. T hus'iwhenthe front cover .62 of the box 50 is in position on thehousing 53 the post 68 depresses the post 80 of themicro-switch thus; holding the cross bar in disengagement with' the'spaced apart contacts 77 and 78 against the action of -thespring l. 6: operation of "the solenoid in vention. Y

As best shown in FIGURE 4 the third electrical control box 53 of ,this invention is provided with successive switches 91, 92, 93 and 94 to also control the solenoids for operation of the doors 22, '23, 24 and 25 respectively of this invention. I The box 53 also includes a four pole-f double throw switch 95 which is used by an attendant in the rear vault compartment 19 in the event of a felonious attack on the vehicle to insure the safetyof the contents of the vault 19 and to prevent unwarranted removal of the vehicle from its present site.

The electrical box 53 is also provided with a plural socket 96 to provide for its attachment by a multiple strand cable to deliver elec-l tricity from the boxes SO-and 51 and thereby j'oin the en tire electrical circuit to the source of battery energy at as will subsequently be described. A special socket 97 is provided in the box 53 to 'enable the' attachrnent of a cable for the operation of the bell.54 Similarly a socket 98is provided in the box 53 for the attachment of a cable to actuate the solenoid for. operation of door 24 leading to the vault compartment 19.- 'A further socket 99 is disposed injthebox 53 and is, adapted to receive a a cableforthe actuation of a solenoid to operate the opening and closing oflthe 'reardoor 25 also leading to the i vault compartment 19.

. As shown in FIGURE 5. the electrical errant utilizes the grounding of certain of the electrical elements to complete the'electrical circuit. A ground itltl is shownassociated 1 withthe source of .electro motorforce whichin this in- 81. However, when the cover 62;is removed by, a'manual pulling on the handle 65 the post; 68 is moved awayfronr I its engagement with the micro-switch post stlthus pere rnitting the spring 81 to push the crossbar79finto engage stance'is the storage battery 49;] A lead 191 from the st'oragebattery 49'carries the source of power-to one side of the fuse 82. Ahead 1% is attachedto the othefside of Y the fuse $2 and extends to the electrical contact 77 .of the 1 micro-switch 66 located within the electrical control box,

$0 which as previously statedis disposedexternallypf the interior of the armored car'of this invention. Another lead 'llil3 also attached to the other side of 'the fuse 82- carries the source of electrical powerto a juncture,

A lead 165 fastenedto the juncture re4e ends to' one side of the rey switch 74; A lead his is fastened tofthe other side o'fthe keyswitch'74andextehdsto one sid'eof the toggle switch 73. Spaced apart contacts -10'7'and 1-93 areprovided in the toggle switch 73 and are the means-oi J energizing the solenoids 12 or Maud thus operating'either compartment 19 of thefarmored car of; this invention; A

I fuse 82 is disposed immediately behind the'micro-switch' 66 within the box and 1 thus insures the safety of the electrical'elements of this invention aswill be seen-by'a detailed'description of the circuits provided herein.:';

.The box 5 1 which is thefsecond of. the electrical'control boxes of this invention andwhich. is" disposed within the. drivers compartment 1810f the armoredgiar includes successive switches 83, 84,f 85 and 36 to 'control' the solenoids. of the doors 22' and 23 leadingtothe frontor V drivers compartment 18 and' the doors 2.4 'and 25which lead to the vaultcompartment' 19. .Ihe. electrical box 51 also includes .a siren switch i which is adapted to con:

trol or excite operation of the siren located under the I engine hood'13. 'The general arrangementofi the switch elements on the box 51 is shown in the perspective view 1 of FIGURE 3 which shows-the box 51 detached from the apparatus of this invention. A' plurality of sockets 88 are provided onthe. box 51in the same manner. as the plural sockets 67 on the box 50.; The'sockets 88 enable the box to be electrically connected byacable and .plug'. -means from the preceding box to a succeeding box 53 which is located inthe rear cr vault compartm'ent19 of the armored car. The electrical control box '51 is provided with a socket 89 for the attachment of a cablevto actuate the solenoid for operation of thedr'ivers door 22; Similarly a socket 90 is provided on the other end ofthe box 51 to provide for theattachment of a cable toefect of'the doors 22 and 23 leading to the 'front compartment 18 of this vehicle depending upon }-theposition 0f; the -21mm the contact 167 of the toggle switch 731' "Similarly V a lead li'ti'is fastened to the switch'iidand tofthe-other Contact 163 of the/togglev switch'73. :It v/illth us be seeri that theic ontact or te'rminal 10-7 of the toggle switchf73f is associated with the switch dfa on bOX SliWlllllll the interior" of the. front compartment 13 of tli''armore'd fcar I which controlsoperati'on of'the driver;s door 22; Similarly the contact or ter'minal 1698 of the togglesw-itch :73 is associated with the second switch 84 of the box 51 which has; previously been-stated to eifect operatiomof the other front compartmentdoor 23 A,lead wineflllextends fromthejunction 104m the junction[112. A lead wire 115 is fastenedtothe junction 112 and-joins a'switch con;

toggle switch 73. V A'lead1ti9 isfastened to theswith-83- tact 114 of the first-switch 8?; 'on'the box 511 As'best' shown in the circuit diagram'of FIGURE S'the switch 84 is provided with a switch contact 115'comparable to the switch contact 114 of the switch ESQ-The leadars s'inia v ilarly joins the 'switch contact .115 with theju'nction 112 in the same manner as it jOin Si'th B junctionllZ-with the switch contact 114- with the switch 83. A-lead' wire- 1'16 extends from the junction 1-12 and joins a switch contacfij 7 117 of the third switch on the second box Similarly this-same lead 116 joins the junction. 11-2 with the Masai contact 118-.of the switch 86. 1 The lead 111 continues and is fastened to one terminal 119 of thefloud siren slam association with door which is also used for gaining access to thefrdnt pr drivers compartment 18 of the armored-car of 55. The siren 55 is provided with a second terminal 120 which is joined by a lead wire 121 to a contact 122 on the siren switch 87 located on thesecond box 51 of this invention. A lead wire 123 continues from the switch contact 122 to a first switch 124 on the four pole-double throw switch 95 of the third electrical control box 53 located in the rear vault compartment 19 of the armored car of this invention. The switch 87 is provided with a ground 125 as shown in FIGURE 5. Similarly a grounding 126 of the first switch 124 of the multiple switch 95 is also shown in FIGURE 5. A blank contact 127 is provided on the other side of the first switch 124. Thus in one position of the four pole-double throw switch 95 the first switch thereof 124 will engage the ground and in its other position the switch 124 will engage a contact which is joined to no part of the circuit and thus is for convenience termed a blank contact 127.

A lead wire 128 extends from the first switch 83 on the box 51 to a terminal 129 on the solenoid 42 which is associated with the drivers door 22. the solenoid 42 is also shown in the circuit diagram of FIGURE 5; A lead wire 131 extends from the switch 84 to a terminal 132. The terminal 132 is located on the solenoid 44 associated with the other front compartment door 23 to thereupon energize that solenoid when electrical current is admitted thereto to actuate the boltmember 43 and thus open the door 23. A grounding 133 of the solenoid 44 is shown in the circuit diagram of FIG- URE 5. t

A second lead wire 134 extends from the first switch 83 on the control box 51 to the switch 91 in box 53 located A grounding 130 of v 162a on one side and is provided with a contact 163 on the other side thereof which has a lead 164 running to a junction 137 which through the lead 138 and further connections carries the circuit back to the storage battery 49. t

The ignition switch 29 is provided with a second terminal 165 and by means of a lead wire 166 completes a connection from the ignition switch to one terminal 167 of the engine" coil 56. The other terminal 168 of the coil 56 is joined by means of a lead wire 169 to a terminal 170 on the distributor 57. The distributor 57 is also provided with a ground 171.

A lead wire 172 is joined to the contact 78 on the microswitch 66 and extends to oneterminal 173 of the bell alarm 54. The other terminal 174 of the bell alarm is grounded at 175. This then completes the electrical circ'uit as shown in FIGURE 5.

In the operation of the device of this invention the armored car is at rest with all of the doors locked from the inside and no personnel being within the armored car. Let us assume that in operation the car is stored in a garage where such armored cars are kept. At the start of a shift when the crew arrives to take out the car the driver in the vault compartment 19. The switch 91 is provided 49. Similarly a second lead wire 140 is provided from the switch Men the second box 51 to the second switch 92 on the box 53. A contact 141 is provided on the switch 92 which is joined to the lead wire 136 and thus is also joined to the source ofelectrical power of the battery 49;

' A lead wire 142 extends from the switch 85 on the second box 51 to switch 93 on the third box 53. A contact 143 is provided on the switch 93 which is joined to the lead wire 136 in the same manner as are the contacts 135 and 1410f the. switches 91 and 92 respectively. A lead wire 144 extendsjfrom the switch 93 to a third switch 145 of the four pole-double throw switch 95 located on thethird electrical control box 53. j A blank contact 146 is provided on one side of the third switch 145 while a contact 147 on the other side is joined toa lead wire 143 tion of the door 24 mounted on the side or the armored car and leading to the vault compartment 19. As shown in FIGURE 5 the solenoid 46' is provided with a ground connection 150. 'j i a A lead wire .151-extends from the switch 86 to the switch 94. A terminal 152 is provided on the switch 94 and it is joined to the lead wire 136 which as stated previously is joined tothe source of electrical power which in this case is the storage battery 49. A lead wire 153 extends from the switch 94 to a fourth switch 154 of the four pole-double throw switch 95. On one side of this fourth switch 154- there is provided a blank contact 155 and on the other side thereis provided a contact 156 whichhas a lead wire 157 running to a terminal 158 on the solenoi d 48 associated with the rear door of the vault compartment 19. The. solenoid 48 is shown grounded at 159 in the circuit diagram of FIGURE 5.

A second switch 160 is provided on the four pole-double throw switch 95. A- lead wire 161 joins this second switch 160' to one terminal 162 on the ignition switch 29.

j The second switch 160 is provided with a blank contact extending to a terminal 149 on the solenoid 46 for operaj to the small audible bell type alarm 54 disposed in the rear vault compartment 19 of the armoredcan This alarm 1 although not loud is sufiiciently audible to alert other personnel in the garage that the crew is entering this particular armored car. If unauthorized personnel attempt to enter the car. in this mannerthey too would be noticed by this alarm 54. While the cover 62 is pulled'forwardly from the body portion 58 of the box 50the driver or other. attendant atempting to gain entrance to the vehicle inserts a key 76into the key switch 74 and this completes' the electrical circuit for the energizing of either of the solenoids 42 or 44 and causes an. opening of either door 22 or door 23. The particulardoor to be opened by the insertion of thekey 76 is controlledpbytthe position of the toggleswitch 737* In the position of the switch 73 as shown in the circuit of FIGURE 5 the door 23 will open. When the driver wishes to gain access to his seat in the vehicle he moves the toggle switch 73 so that itcompletes the circuit to the contact 107 thus opening the door 22 by reason of the retraction of the lock bolt 41 and theactuation of the spring hinge 34 to automatically swing the door open slightly so that the driver can then pullthe' door 22 to an open position for climbing into the arm oredcar. Immediately upon the door22 being jopened the driver then withdraws thekey 76 from the key switch 74 and replajces the weatherproof front cover 62 of the control box 50 thereupon silencing the alarm 54 by causing an opening of the micro-switch 66. The armored car is now ready for entrance by the driver, a guard and a messenger allas controlled by the person gaining access to the drivers seat 38. In his driving position the driver may reach and oprate the control box 51 and open the other doors of the vehicle as desired. Each of thedoors 22, 23, 24 and 25 i may be operated from the control box 51 within the drivers compartment 18 provided that the master switch which is the four pole-double throw switch on box 53 locatedin the vault compartment 19 is. not swung to a position where the switches thereof are in engagement with the contacts 155, 146, 162a and 126'. In this position of the switch 95 the siren 55 is sounding and thedoors. 24 and 25 are locked against control anyone inthe front compartment 18. Still further theignition switch 29 is disengaged so that no one may operate the vehicle. Therefore when the vehicle is at restin storage position the master 'switch95'is thrown so that it is in engagement with the contacts 156, 147,163 and 127. In this positioh of the master switch the driver may open the doors 22, 23, 24 or 25 merely by actuating the switches 83, 84, 85 or 86. When all of the personnel are boarded and the doors closed from the inside the driver may then actuate the ignition switch 29 and start the armored car. If the driver is made aware of any danger of attack on the vehicle he may separately activate the electrical siren 55 by closing the switch 87.

However, a principal function of the present invention is to enable an occupant of the vault compartment to render immobile the vehicle and bar entrance to the vault compartment by any other control means as well as to energize the loud audible siren 55 merely by throwing one switch 95. It should thus be apparent that each of the three electrical boxes 50, 51, and 53 performs an important function in the overall operation of the security apparatus of this invention. The doors have no latch operating means immediately on their exteriors and even if a messenger or driver of the armored car is apprehended outside of the vehicle and the attackers somehow gain access to the drivers compartment whether by the key 76 in the switch 74 or otherwise they still cannot get into the valuables compartment nor can they move the armored car because the ignition has been cut. Also, all of this time the siren is blaring making it extremely difficult for felons to make a successful robbery.

It is intended that the armored car having the security device of this invention incorporated thereon shall be operated in the following typical situation. The armored car crew assembles in the garage of the armored car company or any bank or company using armored car vehicles in their business. The driver of the crew approaches the car and opens the cover on the weatherproof box 50 to commence a procedure intended to gain initial access to the car.v The pulling of the cover 62 in the direction of the arrow 75 causes a closing of the microswitch 66 to complete an electrical circuit to the bell 54 in the rear compartment. The bell immediately commences ringing. The driver then inserts a key into the lock switch 74. By turning the key an electrical circuit is completed to either the solenoid 42 or 44 on door 22 or 23. The particular solenoid to be energized depends on the position of the toggle switch 73. If this toggle switch is in the position engaging the contact 107 then the drivers door 22 will open, but if the toggle switch is in the position to engage the contact 108 door 23 will open. This is primarily a safety feature in case of a failure of one of the solenoids on the two front doors. Now that the desired front door stands slightly open the driver removes the key from the switch 74 and closes the cover of box 50. This replacement of the cover opens the circuit to the solenoids and opens the bell circuit causing it to cease ringing. Now that the driver has gained access to the front compartment 18 he now has control of all four doors by use of the switches 83, 84, 85 and 86 all located on the control box 51 in the drivers compartment 18. The driver then closes door 22 behind him and actuates switch 84 to check the operation of solenoid 44 and to admit another front compartment crew member if the car carries a four man crew. The driver then admits a guard and a messenger through either of door 24 or 25 by actuating switch 85 or 86 which closes elec trical circuit to solenoid 46 or 48 respectively. The guard and messenger load up the armored car and climb aboard and close doors 24 and 25 behind them. In a preferable procedure the guard throws switch 95 to close the circuit to the siren 55, open the circuit to the ignition shutting off the engine, and concurrently open the circuit to solenoids 46 and 48. Swich 95 as previously described is a four pole-double throw switch. The guard then turns off the switch 95 after seeing that everything functions properly. The driver then checks his siren switch 87 and restarts the engine and the armored car and crew have started their days work. The entire circuit has thus been checked for any malfunction before the armored car and dure.

its crew leave the storage garage. Most of the checking cannot be forgotten because it has to be done in order to gain access to the armored car. A complete operational check is thus simply done by actuating a number of switches.

Upon arrival at the first customer the guard and messenger exit through either door 24 or 25 by manually operating them from the inside or by actuating switch 93 or 94 on the control box 53 located in their vault compartment 19. Upon their return the driver presses switch or 86 on the control box 51 located in his compartment to actuate solenoid 46 or 48 on door 24 or 25. The guard and messenger get in and close the doors behind them and the driver proceeds to the next customer. At the next stop the driver and messenger get out by manually operating their respective door locks or by the driver actuating switch 83 on box 51 for his exit through door 22 and the messenger actuatingswitch 93 or switch 94 for his exit out of either door 24 or 25.

Let us assume that while the driver and messenger are away from the armored car, felons attempt to steal the contents of the car. For example let us further assume that they have even acquired a key for operating the lock switch 74 in the external control box 50. With the key they intend entering through either front door 22 or 23 and drive the car containing the guard away, or as an alternative actuate the solenoid 46 or 48 and gain access to the rear compartment. However, as the felon opens the cover 62 to box 50 the circuit to the alarm bell 54 is closed and the guard is alerted before a key can be inserted into the key switch 74. All the guard has to do is simply throw alarm switch 95 and this performs the three functions as follows:

1) Starts siren 55 in operation alerting driver and messenger that the vehicle is being attacked;

(2) Opens ignition circuit to prevent car from being driven away; and

(3) Opens circuits to solenoids 46 and 48 on doors 24 and 25 making access to the rear compartment 19 impossible.

When the burglar flees and the driver and messenger return the guard turns off switch 95 and actuates the switches 91 and 93 to let the driver and messenger reenter the armored car. The driver then restarts the engine and proceeds to the next stop.

In the event that the guard and messenger are away and someone tries to tamper with box 50 it would be noticed at once by the driver because of the location of box 50 in the center of the windshield in plain view of the driver. Someone would have to lean over the hood and fenders to reach it and this could hardly to unnoticed. Of course at this point the driver would actuate switch 87 to excite the loud siren 55. Also if there is a second guard seated next to the driver he would have equal access to the controls on box 51 located in the drivers compartment. Although it forms no direct part of the present invention it is desirable to have gun ports located on the front wall of the car as well as on each door preferably below the window. The armed crew can then defend themselves and ward off any attack by outsiders.

In certain existing'armored cars it is oftentimes diffi cult to rescue a disabled crew member from one of the locked compartments whereas in the present device it is immaterial how the crew member becomes disabled, whether by car collision or illness, the doors to the compartment may be opened from other stations and the crew member removed. Similarly the vault contents may be quickly removed and saved if the car is in an accident and fire should start. The control boxes 51 and 53 are within easy reach of any crew member so that operation thereof is convenient and fast.

The above description of an example of the operation is merely suggestive and not necesarily required proce- I am aware that numerous details of construction may be varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles disclosed herein and I therefore do not propose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated .by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an armored car of the type having a body defining a drivers compartment with a windshield on the front thereof and a separately armored rear vault compartment, said body having doors leading to the drivers compartment and to the vault compartment, a source of electricity, and a security apparatus for the armored car comprising, electric door locking solenoids on the inside of each door, at least one electrically actuated audible alarm, a first electrical control box mounted on said body outside of said compartments, a second electrical control box mounted within said drivers compartment, a third electrical control box mounted within said vault compartment, electrical circuit means joining said source of electricity with said first, second and third electrical control boxes, with said electric door locking solenoids, and with said electrically actuated audible alarm, and independently operable means on said first, second and third electrical control boxes for actuating certain of said electric door locking solenoids to effect opening of said doors and activating said electrically actuated audible alarm and whereby said three electrical control boxes and their electrical circuit means render the armored car substantially burglar-proof.

2. In an armored car of the type having a body defining a drivers compartment with a windshield on the front thereof and a separately armored rear vault compartment, said body having doors leading to the drivers compartment and to the vault compartment, a source of electricity, and a security apparatus for the armored car comprising, electric door locking solenoids on the inside of each door, at least one electrically actuated audible alarm, a first electrical control box mounted on said body outside of said compartments at a position visible through said windshield, a second electrical control box mounted within said drivers compartment, a third electrical control box mounted within said vault compartment, electrical circuit means joining said source of electricity with said first, second and third electrical control boxes, with said electric door locking solenoids, and with said electrically actuated audible alarm, and separate means on said first, second and third electrical control boxes for actuating said electric door locking solenoids to effect opening of said doors and activating said electrically actuated audible alarm.

3. In an armored car-of the type having a body defining a drivers compartment with a windshield on the front thereof and a separately armored rear vault compartment, said body having doors leading to the drivers compartment and to the vault compartment, a source of electricity, and a security apparatus for the armored car comprising, electric solenoids on the inside of each door, at least one audible alarm, a first electrical control box mounted on said body outside of said compartments at a position substantially centrally of said windshield and immediately forwardly thereof, a second electrical control box mounted within said drivers compartment, a third electrical control box mounted within said vault compartment, electrical circuit means joining said source of electricity with said first, second and third electrical control boxes, with said electric solenoids, and with said audible alarm, and switch means on said first electrical control box providing the sole external means for controlling the opening of said doors by actuating said electric solenoids.

4. In an armored car having an armored front compartment and an armored rear compartment and an electrical security apparatus for controlling operation of the cars ignition system, access to the car, and actuation of alarms, comprising a first electrical control box mounted on the car exteriorly of the front and rear compartments, a second electrical control box mounted in said front compartment, a third electrical control box mounted in said rear compartment, each of said compartments having hinged doors spring biased to norm-ally swing open at least a small amount, electric solenoids on each of said doors, lock members on each of said solenoids arranged and constructed to hold said doors closed until the solenoids are energized whereupon the doors are opened,

a first audible alarm mounted in said rear compartment,

a second louder audible alarm positioned exteriorly of said front and rear compartments, an ignition system for said armored car, a source of electricity, and switch means on each of said electrical control boxes for controlling certain of said electric solenoids on said doors, for controlling the audible alarms, and for controlling the car ignition.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4 in which said first electrical control box is waterproof and is provided with an operable cover, first switch means operable in response to the cover removal to actuate the first alarm, second switch means to energize the front compartment door electric solenoids, and third switch means to optionally select the front compartment door to be opened.

6. A device as set forth in claim 4 in which said first electrical control box is waterproof and is provided with a translationally openable cover, spring means normally urging said cover toward closed position, first switch means operable in response to the cover opening to actuate the first alarm, second switch means to energize the front compartment door electric solenoids, and third switch means to optionally select the front compartment door to be opened.

7. A device as set forth in claim 4 in which said first electrical control box is waterproof and is provided with a cover adapted for slidable opening, means preventing cover rotation, first switch means operable to close in response to the cover opening to actuate the first alarm, second switch means operable to energize the front compartment door electric solenoids, and third switch means to optionally select the front compartment door to be opened.

8. In an armored car having an armored front compartment and an armored rear compartment and an electrical security apparatus for controlling operation of the cars ignition system, access to the car, and actuation of alarms, comprising a first electrical control box mounted on the car exteriorly of the front and rear compartments, a second electrical con-trol box mounted in said front compartment, a third electrical control box mounted in said rear compartment, each of said compartments having hinged doors spring biased to normally swing open at least a small amount, electric solenoids on each of said doors, lock members on each of said solenoids arranged and constructed to hold said doors closed until the solenoids are energized whereupon the doors are opened, a first audible alarm mounted in said rear compartment, a second louder audible alarm positioned exteriorly of said front and rear compartments, an ignition system for said armored car, a source of electricity, and switch means on the first of said electrical control boxes providing the sole means outside of the interior of the compartments for controlling certain of said electric door solenoids.

9. In an armored car having an armored front compartment and an armored rear compartment and an electrical security apparatus for controlling operation of the cars ignition system, access to the car, and actuation of alarms, comprising a first electrical control box mounted on the car exteriorly of the front and rear compartments, a second electrical control box mounted in said front compartment, a third electrical control box mounted in said rear compartment, each of said compartments having hinged doors spring biased to normally swing open at least a small amount, electric solenoids on each of said doors, lock members on each of said solenoids arranged and constructed to hold said doors closed until the solenoids are energized whereupon the doors are opened, a first audible alarm mounted in said rear compartment, a second louder audible alarm positioned exteriorly of said front and rear compartments, an ignition system for said armored car, a source of electricity, switch means on each of said electrical control boxes for controlling certain of said electric door solenoids, for controlling the audible alarms, and for controlling the car ignition, and the third of said electrical control boxes having a master switch therein to bar opening of the doors to the rear compartment from either of the other two boxes.

10. In an armored car having an armored front compartment and an armored rear compartment and an electrical security apparatus for controlling operation of the cars ignition system, access to the car, and actuation of alarms, comprising a first electrical control box mounted on the car exteriorly of the front and rear compartments, a second electrical control box mounted in said front compartment, a third electrical control box mounted in said rear compartment, each of said compartments having hinged doors spring biased to normally swing open at least a small amount, electric solenoids on each of said doors, lock members on each of said solenoids arranged and constructed to hold said doors closed until the solenoids are energized whereupon the doors are opened, a first audible alarm mounted in said rear compartment, a second louder audible alarm positioned exteriorly of said front and rear compartments, an ignition system for said armored car, a source of electricity, said first electrical control box having switch means to control the energizing of the front compartment door electric solenoids and the first alarm in the rear compartment, said second electrical control box having switch means to control the energizingvof the front and rear compartment door electric solenoids and the, second alarm, and the third electrical control box having switch means to control the energizing of the front and rear compartment door electric solenoids and a master switch to prevent energizing of the rear compartment door solenoids, to cut out the car ignition system, and to actuate the second alarm.

11. In an armored car having an armored front compartment and an armored rear compartment and an electrical security apparatus for controlling operation of the cars ignition system, access to the car, and actuation of alarms, comprising a first electrical control box mounted on the car exteriorly of the front and rear compartments, a second electrical controlbox mounted in said front compartment, a third electrical control box mounted in said rear compartment, each of said compartments having hinged doors spring biased to normally swing open at least a small amount, electric solenoids on each of said doors, lock members on each of said solenoids ar-' ranged and constructed to hold said doors closed until the solenoids are energized whereupon the doors are opened, a first audible alarm mounted in said rear compartment, a second louder audible alarm positioned exteriorly of said front and rear compartments, an ignition system for said armored car, a source of electricity, said first electrical control box having separate switch means to control the energizing of the front compartment door electric solenoids and the first alarm in the rear compartment, said second electrical control box having separate switch means to control the energizing of the front and rear compartment door electric solenoids and the second alarm, and the third electrical control box having separate switch means to control the energizing of the front and rear compartment door electric solenoids and a master switch to prevent energizing of the rear compartment door solenoids at either of the first or second electrical control boxes, totout out the car ignition system, and to actuate the second alarm.

12. In an armored car having a body, said body having an armored front drivers compartment with a viewing windshield in the front thereof and an armored rear vault compartment, an electrical security apparatus for controllingoperation of the cars ignition system, access to the car, and actuation of'al'arms, comprising a first electricalcontrol box mounted on the body forwardly t of the windshield of the front compartment, a second electrical control box mounted in said front drivers compartment, a third electrical control-boxim'ounted in said rear vault compartment, each of said compartments -'hav-- ing hinged doors spring biased to normally swing open at least a small amount, electric solenoids on each of said doors, lock members on each of said solenoids arranged and constructed to hold said doors closed until the solenoids are energized whereupon the doors are opened, a first audible alarm mounted in said rear compartment, a second louder audible alarm positioned exteriorly of said front and rear compartments, an ignition system for said armored car, a source of electricity, said first electrical control box having the sole switch means to control the energizing of the front compartment door electric solenoids from outside the front and rear compartments and the first box having further switch means to energize the first alarm in the rear compartment, said second electrical control box having switch means to control the energizing of the front and rear compartment door electric solenoids and the second alarm, and thethird electrical control box having switch means to control the energizing of the front and rear compartment door electric solenoids and a master switch to prevent energizing of the rear compartment door solenoids, to cut out the car ignition system, and to actuate the second alarm.

13. An armored car comprising a body, said body defining front and rear compartments, said front compartment having a transparent windshield in the front thereof, a plurality of doors in each of said compartments, electric solenoid operated lock means associated with the interior of each door, control means mounted on the outside of said body at a position-forwardly of and viewable through said Windshield and remote from any door for optionally effecting energization of any one of the electric solenoid operated lock means associated with the doors in the front compartment, and control means within said body for effecting energization of all of said electric solenoid operated lock means.

14. An armored car comprising a body defining an interior and an exterior, the interior of said body having a bulkhead disposed generally transversely of the length of the car and dividing the interior into a front compartment and a rear compartment, a door in said body leading to said front compartment, a door in said body leading to said rear compartment, lock means on each of said doors, electric solenoids associated with each door lock means and operated thereby to lock or unlock the doors, a first control means mounted on the exterior of the body spaced from any door for effecting energization of the solenoid on said door leading to the front compartment, a second control means mounted within energization of the solenoid on the door leading to the rear compartment ineffective from the second control means in the front compartment.

15. In a substantial burglar-proof armored car of the type having an armored body defining an interior compartment, doors opening into said interior compartment, a source of electricity, and a security apparatus for the armored car comprising electric solenoids on the inside' of each door, lock bolts on each of said doors operable by said electric solenoids, a first audible alarm mounted in said interior compartment, :1 second louder audible alarm mounted on said car outside of said interior compartment, an exteriorly mounted electrical control box for actuating selected door electric solenoids to effect opening of said doors and to simultaneously actuate said first audible alarm, and an interiorly mounted electrical control box for actuating said door electric solenoids and for optionally actuating said second louder audible alarm.

15 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,027,978 5/ 12 Bellarnore.

2,506,851 5/50 Ayers.

2, 852,927 9/58 McCurdy.

2,928,488 3/ 60 Stephen 180-82 A. HARRY LEVY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN AN ARMORED CAR OF THE TYPE HAVING A BODY DEFINING A DRIVER''S COMPARTMENT WITH A WINDSHIELD ON THE FRONT THEREOF AND A SEPARATLY AMORED REAR VAULT COMPARTMENT, SAID BODY HAVING DOORS LEADING TO THE DRIVER''S COMPARTMENT AND TO THE VAULT COMPARTMENT, A SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY, AND A SECURITY APPARATUS FOR THE ARMORED CAR COMPRISING, ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKING SOLENOIDS ON THE INSIDE OF EACH DOOR, AT LEAST ONE ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED AUDIBLE ALARM, A FIRST ELECTRICAL CONTROL BOX MOUNTED ON SAID BODY OUTSIDE OF SAID COMPARTMENT, A SECOND ELECTRICAL CONTROL BOX MOUNTED WITHIN SAID DRIVER''S COMPARTMENT, A THIRD ELECTRICAL CONTROL BOX MOUNTED WITHIN SAID VAULT COMPARTMENT, ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MEANS JOINING SAID SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY WITH SAID FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD ELECTRICAL CONTROL BOXES, WITH SAID ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKING SOLENOIDS, AND WITH SAID ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED AUDIBLE ALARM, AND INDEPENDENTLY OPERABLE MEANS ON SAID FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD ELECTRICAL CONTROL BOXES FOR ACTUATING CERTAIN OF SAID ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKING SOLENOIDS TO EFFECT OPENING OF SAID DOORS AND ACTIVATING SAID ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED AUDIBLE ALARM AND WHEREBY SAID THREE ELECTRICAL CONTROL BOXES AND THEIR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MEANS RENDER THE ARMORED CAR SUBSTANTIALLY BUGLAR-PROOF. 